COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Dynamics and sources of suspended particulate organic matter in the Marennes-Oléron oyster farming bay: Insights from stable isotopes and microalgae ecology

International audienceThe aim of this study was to distinguish between sources of the complex variety of Marennes-Oléron Bay suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM) contributing to the tropho-dynamics of the Marennes-Oléron oyster farming bay. Basic biomarkers (Chl a, C/N and POC/Chl a ratios), carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from SPOM were analyzed and the microalgae community was characterized. The sampling strategy was bimonthly from March 2002 to December 2003; samples were taken from an intertidal mudflat. Four main sources contributed to the SPOM pool: terrigenous input from rivers, neritic phytoplankton, resuspended microphytobenthos and periodic inputs from intertidal Zostera noltii meadows. Seasonal fluctuations were observed in both years of the study period: (1) SPOM collected in the spring of 2002 (δ13C = −25‰ to −23‰) was mainly composed of fresh estuarine inputs; (2) SPOM from the summer and fall of 2002 and 2003 was predominantly neritic phytoplankton (δ13C = − 22‰ to −19‰); (3) SPOM from the winter of 2002, spring of 2003 and winter of 2003 (δ13C = −21 to −23‰) was composed of a mixture of decayed terrigenous river inputs and pelagic phytoplankton, which was predominantly resuspended microphytobenthos. In the summer of 2003—the warmest summer on record in southern France and Europe—SPOM was particularly enriched for 13C, with δ13C values ranging from −14‰ to −12‰. Pulses in δ13C values, indicative of 13C-enriched decaying materials, extended into the fall. These were attributed to benthic intertidal inputs, including both resuspended microphytobenthos and Z. noltii detritus. Changes in SPOM sources in Marennes-Oléron Bay may lead to differences in the quality of the trophic environment available for reared oysters

Clonidine-induced growth hormone secretion in elderly patients with senile dementia of the alzheimer type and major depressive disorder

This study was undertaken to assess the value of growth hormone (GH) response to clonidine as a tool in the differential diagnosis between depression and dementia. This response is known to be blunted in depression, and neurochemical changes observed in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) could lead to an up-regulation of GH secretion. No difference was observed between GH response in depressed and demented patients. Together with studies on GH basal secretion in Alzheimer's disease, this findings suggests that the final consequence of SDAT-related changes is an accentuation of the effects of aging on GH reactivity. © 1989.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Qualité microbiologique des zones conchylicoles dans les Pertuis Charentais

Marine environment contamination can affect fishing and shellfish farming products (and shellfish in the first place), thus making them improper for human consumption, threatening public health and producer’s business. Analysis and health risk management are mandatory for consumer’s security and shellfish production survival. About microbial risk, monitoring shellfish production areas and several studies carried by LERPC laboratory give a good view of the microbial contamination impacting the Pertuis Charentais shellfish production area. On the other hand, State-Region Plan Contract (CPER) studies results from 2007 to 2013 are presented and discussed; additionally, the law-prescribed sanitary studies for professional on foot-fishing classification are also presented and discussed. Microbiological watching network (REMI) results are given for the Pertuis Breton area until 2014. The viral contamination related risk, mainly by Norovirus, is also presented. Considering the situation, decision factors for proper management are proposed, allowing precise diagnosis on pollution sources and convenient corrective actions to be carried.Les contaminations susceptibles de toucher le milieu marin peuvent altérer la qualité sanitaire des produits issus de la conchyliculture et de la pêche (coquillages en premier lieu) et rendre les produits impropres à la consommation, créant ainsi un risque pour la santé publique et menaçant l’activité commerciale des entreprises. L’analyse et la gestion du risque sanitaire sont nécessaires pour assurer la sécurité du consommateur et constituent l’un des enjeux essentiels pour assurer la pérennisation des activités conchylicoles. Concernant le risque microbiologique en particulier, la surveillance sanitaire des zones conchylicoles ainsi que différentes études, menées par le LER/PC (Laboratoire Environnement et Ressources des Pertuis Charentais), permettent de dresser un bilan des contaminations microbiologiques pouvant affecter les productions conchylicoles du littoral des Pertuis Charentais. Les études menées dans le cadre du CPER 2007-2013 sont présentées et discutées, de même que les études sanitaires réalisées dans le cadre de procédures réglementaires visant à classer les zones de pêche à pied professionnelle. Elles sont complétées par les données REMI (Pertuis Breton) jusqu’en avril 2014. Le contexte et les enjeux relatifs à la présence d’agents pathogènes viraux d’origine humaine (Norovirus) sont également évoqués. A partir des constats effectués, des éléments de réflexion sont proposés afin de définir des optiques de gestion permettant d’établir des diagnostics précis des sources de pollution et de proposer des mesures correctives adaptées

Suivi hydrologie et phytoplancton des masses d'eau du bassin hydrographique Adour-Garonne en 2007

Ce rapport rend compte des résultats acquis en 2007 sur les paramètres hydrologiques et le phytoplancton, dans le cadre des réseaux REPHY et ARCHYD (pour les points du Bassin d’Arcachon), et celui du contrôle de surveillance des masses d'eau du district Adour-Garonne qui ne faisaient pas l’objet de suivi avant la mise en œuvre de la DCE. Ce document contient des résultats concernant les éléments de qualité physico-chimique (oxygène dissous et nutriments pour les deux types de masses d’eau, température et turbidité pour les masses d’eau côtières exclusivement). Sont également inclues dans ce document les données d'évaluation de la qualité des masses d'eau vis-à-vis de l'indicateur « phytoplancton » calculées par Soudant et Belin (2009), sur la base des données contenues dans la base Quadrige pour la période comprise entre le 01/01/2002 et le 31/12/2007 . L'explication des modes de calcul de cet indicateur et des différents indices qui président à son élaboration est rapportée en annexe

Interactions between Neuronal Fusion Proteins Explored by Molecular Dynamics

In this report, we present features of the neuronal SNARE complex determined by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The results are robust for three models, varying force fields (AMBER and GROMOS) and solvent environment (explicit and implicit). An excellent agreement with experimental findings is observed. The SNARE core complex behaves like a stiff rod, with limited conformational dynamics. An accurate picture of the interactions within the complex emerges with a characteristic pattern of atomic contacts, hydrogen bonds, and salt bridges reinforcing the underlying layer structure. This supports the metaphor of a molecular Velcro strip that has been used by others to describe the neuronal fusion complex. No evidence for directionality in the formation of these interactions was found. Electrostatics largely dominates all interactions, with an acidic surface patch structuring the hydration layers surrounding the complex. The interactions within the four-helix bundle are asymmetric, with the synaptobrevin R-SNARE notably exhibiting an increased rigidity with respect to the three Q-SNARE helices. The interaction patterns we observe provide a new tool for interpreting the impact of mutations on the complex